LOCAL singing group Octameron will hold their 20th anniversary celebration at a concert in Langcliffe Village Hall on Saturday, October 15.

Although there have been some changes over the 20 years, four of the singers, plus musical director Brian Heaton, have been with the group since their first performance in November 1996.

The programme will feature the first performance of Sings Her Blessings, a piece specially composed for Octameron to mark the wedding of Mary and Tom Emmett. Mary is the daughter of Sheila Hartley, one of Octameron’s sopranos.

The piece, written by Mary and Tom’s fellow student Emily Crossland, who will be at the concert to introduce her composition, combines snatches of Shakespeare with a Javanese marriage poem and the music evokes the sound of the traditional Javanese gamelan.

In this year of Shakespeare tributes, the group will also perform Songs and Sonnets, a sequence of seven Shakespeare songs set to music by the renowned jazz pianist George Shearing.

The programme will also include some old favourites and some new items, reflecting the variety of music that is Octameron’s trademark.

The concert begins at 7.30pm and people are invited to take a bottle but nibbles will be provided.

Tickets cost £8 are available from Cave and Crag, Octameron members or on the door. Proceeds will go to Settle Swimming Pool.